Scout Troop 129 joins 28th annual Trappers Rendezvous years ago
Scoutmaster Lee Clark already had his hands full. Usually his boy scouts receive a month's worth of meetings to prepare them for the annual winter camp-out at Trappers' Rendezvous. This year's wicked ice storm cut into that preparation time by causing the cancellation of several meetings.
Lee depends a lot upon his three veteran scouts, Jimmy Clark, Travis Riesen, and Jon Crouse (Senior Patrol Leader), who have weathered four previous winters at the Trappers' Rendezvous. But this year, nine boys with no winter camping experience joined the venture: Eric Scheele, Ben Bosworth, Lonnie Benda, Landon Herbel, Neil Kaiser, Dylan Martin, Daniel Kenney, Logan Schraeder, and Evan Wienck.
Adult helpers were lined up, but someone later experienced unavoidable conflicts with his work schedule. New plans had to be implemented so there would be enough adult supervision. Todd Jost, previous Scout leader, volunteered to spend the night on Friday at the Rendezvous.
The weather was due to be bitterly cold, in the single digits, with partially sunny/cloudy skies. Ice and solidly frozen snow still covered much of the ground.
Lee had his hands full, then his water pipes at home froze.
Networking with others about the wisdom of taking this trip with so many inexperienced boys, wondering if they were prepared enough, realizing the pipe situation would cause them to get a late start, wanting to make the right decision as a first-year Scoutmaster, Lee struggled with his options as he thawed pipes. Finally, he decided to cancel.
Richard Riemer, assistant Scoutmaster, called Lee when he heard of the cancellation. He knew how much the boys had been looking forward to this camp out. He had prepared and handed out to the scouts detailed lists of necessary items and what to expect from cold-weather camping. He told Lee how disappointed they were going to be. Lee relented. The trip was on again.
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Leave it to moms to wonder about the purpose, i.e. sanity, of this winter camping stuff. Moms are wired to make sure loved ones are comfortable, well taken care of, and safe. Putting it mildly, this kind of thing tends to go directly against the grain with them, especially when the temperatures dip down so low.
Needless to say, there were some worried moms dropping their boys off at the Scout House on Friday evening. Some gathered for prayer. Others worried out loud: "Why do they have to do this when it is so cold?" Still others offered reassurance, knowing from experience how much their boys have learned from and enjoyed the Trappers' Rendezvous.
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Troop 129 rolled into Harvey County Park West after dark and searched for an open camping spot among 3,300 other Scouts from Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Once situated, the boys went to work starting a fire, rigging up the cook tent, and getting their individual tents raised by flashlight on frozen ground. Eldon Kaiser drove out to help set up tents.
Thanks to the generosity of the Durham and Hillsboro Lion's Clubs and the Hillsboro Legion, who purchased new tents for the troop five years ago, everyone slept in a good solid tent. Another parent, David Wienck arrived to spend the night and help out.
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As the mother of one of the younger, boys, Chris Herbel admits, "Friday night we didn't sleep well as parents." She knew the scout leaders were watching out for the boys, but she couldn't help being concerned: "It was so cold!"
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Held Jan. 14-16, the 28th Annual Trappers' Rendezvous drew Boy Scouts along with their leaders and families, not just for an opportunity to learn cold-weather camping skills, but also for the fun.
Mountain men, sporting beards and wearing almost every assortment of fur, skin, or hide, wandered purposefully throughout the camp. They often knelt to share stories, jokes, and tales with youngsters, creating authentic warmth in the midst of winter's chill.
Drifting through the frigid air came the warm smell of camp fires and outdoor cooking. Scouts along the road offered visitors a taste of their "Longhorn Chili" scooped straight out of a fire-branded #3 bean can.
Tents were pitched everywhere. They covered the landscape with a kaleidoscope of color: army tents, pup tents, round ones, square ones, some with wooden fronts and backs and a midsection of ribbing covered with plastic, lean-to types, large, small, colorful, and dull. Scouts are inventive and resourceful when it comes to camping.
Boy Scouts lined the roadway, setting their wares out for passers-by to see. Trading and bartering is half the fun of this trip for many of the guys. One boy, balking at an offer from another, scolded him with, "No I don't want to trade for your flashlight! It doesn't even have any batteries!"
The Buzzard's Gulch was open and teaching boys to whittle, carve, brand leather patches, and make arrow heads. The General Store sold everything from rabbits' feet to hot chocolate. The Coleman tent was a hot spot, but people had to stand in line for a couple of hours to get inside and take advantage of great discounts on their products.
While they waited in line to have a try at tomahawk throwing, scouts were entertained by a trapper who said his nickname was "Ugly." With their focus on fun, it was easier for the scouts to handle the cold temperatures.
Dodging amongst the crowds, bright-eyed boys with tons of enthusiasm peppered everyone with the question, "Are you a mountain man? Are you a mountain man?"
Twelve such men roamed the camp grounds during the Rendezvous, and if asked the question, they would tell a story and give the scout a wooden coin. The scouts who found all 12 mountain men and received coins from them were then eligible to receive a prize.
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Saturday is the day when parents often travel out to visit their boys and experience part of why their scouts are more than willing to return to Trappers' Rendezvous year after year, despite punishing weather conditions.
Chris Herbel, after trading a pocket knife for three antlers she wants to use for decorating her home, admitted, "I was having so much fun I didn't want to leave!" She definitely plans to visit again next year.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Saturday afternoon, the wind tossed snow about and the sun refused to even blink out from the gray clouds. With mini icicles hanging from his mustache, Lee decided to take a vote whether to stay another night or head home. He wanted to make sure the younger Scouts learned some survival skills and had fun, but he didn't want to wear them out. The boys voted to pack up.
Asked what they thought about the winter camp out, Eric Scheele, Lonnie Benda, and Ben Bosworth said exactly the same thing without the others' knowledge. They all agreed, "It was COLD!" But they were quick to add, "And FUN!" Trading stuff and hanging out with friends, along with making new friends, and getting the opportunity to go camping topped the list of their favorite things to do.
Chris noticed how Trappers' Rendezvous changed her son, Landon's perspective. Now he really appreciates things, especially his warm bed. The accomplishments of Lewis and Clark are no longer just facts in a history book to him. Landon has experienced some of what they felt and has a deeper understanding of the trials they encountered.
Speaking of trials, Lee got his pipes thawed out only to get stuck in the ice and snow twice before finally reaching the Scout House on Friday. Lee, his adult helpers, the Scouts, their parents, and all who made Trappers' Rendezvous possible struggled with different trials.
Because they prevailed, Hillsboro has 12 Boy Scouts who conquered the winter camp out, developed a sense of accomplishment, and want to do it all again next year.
